Our publications
Our suite of publications are varied and are designed to meet the needs of our different audiences. Our flagship publication, Inis magazine, is an outward looking publication for adults that documents both projects and events within the organisation through articles but also highlights people and achievements outside of our own programmes. Our various reading guides and themed reading lists are designed for a more targeted audience looking for age appropriate titles or those on specific topics.
Inis magazine
Inis magazine is the only publication of its kind in Ireland – a magazine solely devoted to children's books and the wider world of literature for young people. We print three issues annually in January, April and July, each containing forty-eight reviews of current or upcoming titles and cover artwork from a contemporary Irish illustrator. Feature articles cover artist interviews, project spotlights and wider developments in the industry. Our website is also updated on a monthly basis with further new book reviews.
Reading guides
Children’s Books Ireland produces a number of recommended reading guides throughout the year. These reading guides can be used by educators, librarians, booksellers and adult caregivers to guide young readers to the best books for them.
In March, we produce Léigh Leabhar Gaeilge reading guide as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge to highlight the excellent books on offer in the Irish language for children and young people. Filled with 100 brilliant recommendations, the featured titles range from board books to picturebooks, non-fiction, poetry collections, comics, middle-grade fiction, all the way up to young adult fiction. Reviews are as Gaeilge with a line in English for less fluent readers.
In September, we produce our annual Best of Irish Books reading guide that celebrates the ‘best of the year’ in books published by Irish and Irish based authors. Inside its pages you’ll find 100 books for young readers aged 0–18 years, spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels and more. Reviews are in English and as Gaeilge, with début titles marked by a speakerphone and editor’s choices marked with a star. A ‘read also’ after each review can guide readers to further books to enjoy.
In June, we produce the Read with Pride reading guide which contains 100 LGBTQ+ inclusive stories for young readers aged 0–18 years. This guide includes fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and verse novels with editor’s choices marked with a star. A ‘read also’ after each review can guide readers to further books to enjoy.
Previously, our reading guides have centred on a theme such as encouraging empathy towards refugees, migrants and asylum seekers (Reading Together with Refugees) accessible texts (Picture This), diversity and inclusion (Free To Be Me), mental health (Mind Yourself) or female empowerment (BOLD GIRLS).
Print copies of these guides can be purchased from our online shop, while the digital versions are free to download.
Themed reading lists
Alongside our annual guide, we also produce themed reading lists throughout the year which focus on specific themes, topics or challenges that affect children's and young people lives. These reading lists are digital-only, and can be downloaded for free from our website.
Ideas and activity packs
Helping young readers to engage with great books at home and in school, our free resources are filled with activities to encourage creativity. All of these are can be downloaded from the 'Resources and ideas' section of our website.
Publisher partnerships
To support publishers in their collaboration with Children's Books Ireland, our team have created a resource pack outlining our publications and review process, alongside opportunities for promotion through book-gifting, media and social media. To view and download this document, follow the link below.
